[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

THIS... is a Free Trade Republican:

I post his picture, for the benefit of the noisy, wilfully amnesiac few here who have (apparently) forgotten -- if, indeed, they ever truly "knew" in the first place -- what Reagan Republicanism was all about.

To those shrill, backwards and benighted few, falling into that unfortunate camp:

R-E-M-E-M-B-E-R.

[RATkiller]

Yes, Yes, free trade always, hmmm, I remember when Reagan said to the Japanese car makers: if you want to sell cars here you manufacture some here. Thus he created most of the "insourcing" of jobs. I think he cared about the welfare of the citizens and didn't worship a man-made idol like free trade.

From the start of our republic until about 1913, the federal government was supported by tariffs and excise taxes. We grew to be a great nation and controlled any economic activity that could severely disrupt our society. Bilateral, simple treaties for our benefit are reasonable; CAFTA and its ilk are meant to be complicated monstrosities - like our tax bills so nobody can find all the hidden goodies doled out here and there. And since treaties even supersede the constitution we put ourselves in the hands of a distant "court" that does not have our best interests at heart. And our representatives have an out, if the citizens complain about any future developments, they can just say "It's in the treaty what can I do?"

[taxed2death]

THIS... is a Free Trade Republican:"

heheheh R. Reagan imposed tariffs on Jap bikes...
nice try though....